Football: A-B looks to build on last year's strong finish

Tuesday

When Tim Bassett took over as head coach of the Acton-Boxborough football team last fall, he installed a new offense.

Now in his second year, everyone is a little more familiar and comfortable with it.

“The kids have fully bought in,” said Bassett, who was an assistant coach at A-B for 12 seasons prior to becoming head coach. “With this being the second year, they’re able to take it to a new level. They’re ready for the read aspect of the spread offense.

“Through the summer, we’ve put them in as many seven-on-seven competitions as we could to get them used to it. Last year, there were so many new things to learn. Now they’re ready to go on Day One.”

A-B finished last season with a 6-5 mark. After losing in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Division 1 North playoffs to Central Catholic, the Colonials finished their season with three straight wins. They also won six of their last eight games.

A-B dropped its first three games against Chelmsford, Reading and Barnstable last year. A-B led Chelmsford at halftime and was tied with Reading and Barnstable at the half before its opponents came back and won each game.

“We stressed in the spring that when we started out 0-3, it wasn’t because we lost to three better teams,” Bassett said. “They had more depth than we did and were in better condition. I’m happy with the work the kids did to be in shape.”

Depth is a different issue.

The Colonials have 40 players in the top three grades and 19 freshmen. Last year, A-B did not field a freshman team due to lack of numbers.

“The key to being successful is staying healthy,” Bassett said. “We need to have our top guys stay healthy. Injuries can set us back.”

“The top five or six receivers and running backs are all returning,” Bassett said. “They’re all familiar with each other.”

Otero and Durkin are among the returning receivers, along with senior Stanley Bernard and senior Jonas Wiechmann.

Senior Patrick Kronenwett and sophomore Alex Barrouet figure to get the bulk of the caries at running back.

Fleming and senior TJ Mabardy are returning as starters on the offensive line. Sophomore Hollis Dirstine, who is 6 feet, 2 inches and 255 pounds, is also a returning starter. His older brother, Finn, was a standout at Lawrence Academy and is now a freshman on Boston College’s roster.

On defense, Murray is a safety, Fleming plays defensive line. Durkin is a linebacker and Otero is a cornerback.

Murray and Otero are also coming off a successful spring, when they played key roles in the A-B boys lacrosse team’s run to the Division 1 state finals.

Last season, A-B lost just one game in the Dual County League Large School Division, against league champion Lincoln-Sudbury. The Warriors made it to the finals of the Division 2 state tournament before bowing to King Philip.

Bassett said that L-S is the team to beat in the DCL Large.

A-B opens the season at Chelmsford on Sept. 7. The Colonials play Reading and Barnstable at home before visiting L-S in the league opener on Sept. 28.